Unexpected Hero

An Age Gap Forbidden Romance (Redleg Security, Book 5)

By: Jackie Walker

Narrated by: Aaron Shedlock, Kelsey Navarro Foster

"No one ever saw me or cared to look. Until her. But the man she sees is a lie. And if I reveal who I am, I’ll lose her–the only woman who ever made me feel alive."

Five Steps to Covertly Protecting my Boss’s Secret Daughter

By Tomer Stillman, a hacker and secret Dom with a psych eval full of red flags. Fortunately, nobody cares to notice.

1. Get her a safe job and place to live.

2. Make sure she has plenty of food.

3. Protect her from her overly-trusting self, even if that means crossing lines.

4. Daily checks of her location, phone, and devices for suspicious activity, following her when necessary.

5. Fulfill all her sexual desires.

No. Scratch that last one. Not only because she’s too young and inexperienced. But because I need to keep my distance. The more I watch her, the more the lines blur between protection and obsession. I never intended to come face to face with her, but in a moment of weakness, I intervened. And it changed everything.

She makes me feel things. Things I’m not ready to feel.

I never thought I had a heart, but the more I'm with her, the faster it beats.

Now, I’m left wondering, will she forgive me for the things I’ve done to protect her?

Or will the only woman I’ve ever cared for leave me like everyone else?

Author's Note: Unexpected Hero is Book 5 in the Redleg Security Series and part one of the Unexpected Trilogy. This is not a standalone book. It ends with a Happy for Now and a cliffhanger. Tomer and Lettie's story continues in Unexpected Heroine and Unexpected Redemption. The entire Redleg Security Series is best listened to in order to prevent suspense-related spoilers. Although this trilogy is best as part of the larger series, these three books can technically be listened to on their own if you choose. Content warnings are available on the author's website and in the E-book, available on Amazon.

©2024 Jackie Walker (P)2024 Jackie Walker

Awesome Audio!

I loved how they brought this story to life!! I loved this book anyway, but hearing it, hits on a whole other level!! Highly recommend this audio!!

Tomer my heart be true!

Originally read this on Kindle…as soon as the audio came out I knew it was gonna be my new fave! Love, love, love the narrators that were picked for this! They both have such great tempo and enunciation and did a wonderful job of bringing Tomer and Lettie to life. I was a little underwhelmed for my fave part of this book though….sad face. “I came for you.” Was hoping that to be better.

The protector plus DOM combo is everything.

Story rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️(0-5)
Narration: 🎧🎧🎧🎧🎧 (0-5)
Overall: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 (0-5)
Steam: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 (0-5) mild bdsm and voyeurism

What I’m Starry-Eyed Over:
🤩 The trilogy can be read alone, but I highly recommend the whole Redleg Security series, especially the perfectly cast audiobooks!
🤩 Jackie has the most amazing way of giving a truly all the feels experience with the added suspense in the Redleg Security series plots along with her witty charm and humor even among difficult topics.
🤩 Aaron Shedlock gives us his all as the many sides to Tomer, and I’m so in love and lust. Kelsey Navarro Foster is the perfect Lettie, giving us her sweetness, her strength, and all the sass in between.
🤩 I’m here for the good guy stalker vibes (tagged as stalker light by the author). When Tomer finds a way to call Lettie and check on her.
🤩 The heart-wrenching flashbacks are so well written and captivating.
🤩 The protector plus DOM combo is everything.
🤩 Secret pining, ok actually obsession, and self-pleasuring. PUFF
🤩 The characterization is so developed and fabulous. But the inner dialogue by these MCs is laugh-out-loud hilarious.
🤩 The plot is so full of feels and written so believably.
🤩 When I highlight almost everything in chapter 34 because it is just so perfect. Tomer’s sweet dirty talk works on me too, Lettie baby!
🤩 Inexperienced FMC, but she’s a very good girl!
🤩 And Tomer is 100% book boyfriend material because of his tender after-care and his ability to teach Lettie open communication.

What I’m Wishing/Dizzy About:
💫 My heart doesn’t like a cliffhanger, but Jackie’s been honest about it being a trilogy, so I’m okay with it! For her, I’m okay with it. I have mild bookish depression here at the end, but it’s fine. I’m fine. Everything is fine. My heart is ready to heal with them in Unexpected Heroine and Unexpected Redemption.

🔬Caution/Trigger warnings: flashback memories of childhood mental abuse, on-page drink drugging and abduction. Jackie does a tasteful job of leaving out the icky details during and after the abduction, thank goodness.

Exceptional Story & Listen🎧 Gripping & Emotional!

The “Redleg Security” series has been one amazing book after another, but I have to say Jackie Walker has outdone herself with this novel, ok, you could probably say that about all her books, but this one just hit me hard, straight in the heart. Tomer intrigued me in the earlier book and I was looking forward to learning more about him and wow, the complexity of his character is remarkable. I knew he had issues, but was not expecting all of what he went through and a past that haunts him and left him battling with inner demons. While working in Redleg he learned his boss had a daughter he was not aware of, Violet aka Lettie, and is waiting for the right time to tell him, but if it is not one thing at Redleg, it is another and currently they are trying to find out who is trying to sabotage them. So in the meantime he will keep track of his Violet and when he learns she moves to Florida, the same place where her father is, he becomes suspicious of her and watches her more closely. Outside of his time with Redleg, he enjoys the BDSM lifestyle and is a member of a club where he is a Dom, and goes there to play and sometimes to work or instruct. Keeping the two lives separate, he took on a different name at the club and everyone knows him as James. Lettie’s backstory was almost as sad as Tomer’s, but differently, orphaned young never knowing her father, other heard he was a soldier who died while serving, and when her mother passed away her maternal grandmother and grandfather raised her. Her grandmother was strict and very religious and did a number on her, so she never really experienced life like most people her age did. After her grandfather passed away, she upped and left the only place she knew and headed down to do Florida, and to Tomer, who became her guardian angel without her even knowing it. The two could not be more opposite, with him being closed off and her an open book and the things that come out of her mouth were hysterical and the witty dialogue was absolutely brilliant, including all the southern euphemisms. She was penetrating the fortress Tomer built around his heart, a heart he claimed to not have, but he not only has one, but it is a heart of gold. These two moved to the top of my list of favorite characters, Violet’s disposition and outlook was admirable, even at the worst of times and Tomer had my heart from the start, for what he endured as a child and for what his loser of a father embedded in his head. I loved all the layers of this story, and the writing, plot and world building are phenomenal, as well as the character growth and development. This may be a lengthy book, but the story is so captivating that time just flew by and by the end I still did not get enough of these amazing characters. The story has the perfect balance of drama, some angst, charming humor and witty dialogue to lighten things up, some mystery, thrilling suspense, heartfelt emotions and steamy romance. Jackie Walker, thank you for this exceptional story and emotional rollercoaster ride.

🎧📚🎧 Aaron Shedlock and Kelsey Navarro Foster were the perfect cast to bring these characters to life and did so with a complete understanding of who they were portraying, giving each a voice that was fitting. I loved how they took each role and made it their own, sounding believable and just as I imagined them to sound. Kelsey Navarro Foster was absolutely brilliant in her role as Violet, bringing out all her southern charm, handling her witty dialogue with ease, and landing the humor naturally. Aaron Shedlock was just as amazing in his role as Tomer, showcasing all sides of his personality, from his protective and caring side, to his insecurities and inner turmoil. Both were fantastic in performing the roles of the secondary characters too. They set the perfect tone for the story, captured all the characters’ emotions and had you feeling them all. It was a pleasure to listen to these entertaining storytellers and their performance elevates the already exceptional story to another level. Thank you for another amazing listen.

Protect her, nothing else, easy or so I thought!

Protect her, nothing else, easy or so I thought!

OMG, I love to hear Aaron Shedlock narrate! He is one of my favorite and he is perfect for Tomer! He fits the mold and the character so well that the storyline just flows so smoothly! Kelsey Navarro Foster is new to me so I really enjoyed being able to listen to a new character with a new voice. Both of these combined gave this book more than just words being read, it gives us feelings that you can hear in their tones as they speak! A great combination!

Tropes:
• Age gap
• Off limits
• Secret Identity
• BDSM

We meet Tomer and Lettie in earlier books but now we get theirs.

Tomer has been content living his life the way he has but when he finds himself protecting his boss’ daughter, he begins to feel things, things he shouldn’t. Alex doesn’t know he has a daughter and Tomer can’t seem to find the right time to tell him so until then, he will keep an eye out for her to make sure she is safe and has everything she needs to survive.

Lettie, raised by her grandparents and very religiously, was sheltered but now she is ready to experience life on her own. In comes Tomer or James, to the rescue determining to keep an eye on her at all costs.

Lettie & Tomer

I have been absolutely loving this series on audio and this was another amazing addition to the series. There were so many parts of this that broke my heart, both Tomer and Violet’s backstories are tough, so I desperately wanted them to be happy for once. The suspense was super high here and so was the heat, a perfect combination honestly. It does end on a cliffhanger so I’m anxiously awaiting the next book, I have got to see what happens next! Both narrators captured the emotional complexity of the characters so so well and had me on the edge of my seat with their deliveries.

Wild & crazy ride that's hilarious & heartwarming

If there's something that Jackie Walker knows how to do well is pick the perfect narrators for her stories & write the heck out of a face paced, twisty-turny story that's filled with unexpected plot drops & heartfelt characters. This was a terrific audio!🙌

After Lettie's grandfather's death, she yearns for a fresh start & to experience life on her own. She ventures out but eventually finds herself backed into a corner, needing money & help. She meets Tomer Stillman AKA James. He helps Lettie get on her feet with some cash, food, housing & a job. Tomer has a secret though. He's learned that Lettie is his bosses daughter & ever since this realization, he's been keeping track of her. It's slightly stalky but his intentions actually come from a well-intentioned place. Tomer seems a little reserved or even withdrawn but he's completely devoted to Lettie & her safety.

Over the course of a year, these two get to know each other. There's tension & attraction between the two & they finally give into their desires. Tomer takes care of her, teaches her & begins to open up to her, all while carrying the burden of knowing her true identity. Jackie knows how to write the spice ya'll & this book is no exception.🥵

Both of these MC's have past trauma they are dealing with & working through. We get some flashbacks & back story as to why they are they way they are. Lettie's character goes through a liberation from her upbringing in a purity culture. Because of Tomer's past, he's become a DOM & he helps Lettie work through her past trauma through BDSM & Jackie handles these plot lines with care & sensitivity.

🎧Let's talk narration...Kelsey & Aaron are such great narrators & their performances are nothing short of terrific! This story has a mix of heavy & light all while mixed with humor & fun banter. These two deliver all the emotions you want from this wild ride. Aaron is the perfect broody, quiet & somewhat awkward Tomer that has a heart of gold. Kelsey gives an amazing performance voicing Lettie with the sweetest Southern accent. A woman whose working through her trauma showing bravery & resilience. These two brought the story & characters to life. Amazing work!

This book delivers laughter alongside life lessons. It's a light-hearted adventure that proves sometimes the biggest heroes come from the most unexpected places--often with a healthy dose of humor along the way!😂 Fans of Jackie's will absolutely LOVE this book! PLEASE check TW before heading into this one.

Tomer’s new nickname should be Knotty by Nature

Unexpected Hero is the story of Tomer and Violet.

**AUDIO BOOK REVIEW**
Aaron Shedlock as Tomer
Kelsey Navarro Foster as Lottie

The audio-book of Unexpected Hero was everything I hoped it would be, and more. The narrators did an amazing job of bringing the characters to life. Kelsey Navarro Foster’s portrayal of Lettie was spot on and truly highlighted the essence of Lettie. Aaron Shedlock as Tomer was perfection. He was able to convey all of the aspects of Tomer’s complex make-up. He brought to life the dominance, as well as the vulnerability of Tomer. I laughed until I cried and I cried until I laughed.

**BOOK REVIEW**
Tomer is the Brains of the Redleg Security family and the epitome of broody and mysterious. I have been intrigued by Tomer since Love & Other Accidents (The Love and Laughs Series). The enigma that was created throughout his appearances in the previous stories created a riveting character and made you yearn for his story. The author does not disappoint in creating a complex, broken, and HAF hero. The truth behind Tomer is more compelling and heartbreaking than I imagined.

Violet “Lettie” is a young woman who finds herself in turmoil after receiving life-changing news when her Papa makes a deathbed confession. Lettie escapes her small town in the hopes of a new beginning. A “chance” meeting introduces Lettie to “James” and subsequently to a world beyond her experience. This new world has Lettie struggling with the teachings of her past and feelings of shame and guilt.

Unexpected Hero is an extremely well-written tale of love, loyalty, humor, angst, and plenty of steam!! It’s a study in how our pasts can mold who we are today. Woven into a maze of secrets, misunderstandings, and mystery lies the question of whether the pairing of two unlikely souls could be the key to healing the past traumas of the other. The author does a great job of handling difficult topics tastefully with care and respect.

Although the book culminates in a cliffhanger, after my initial pouting, I decided to take this time to enjoy the calm before the storm when the other shoe drops in part 2 of the duet!!!

Can’t get enough!

I can’t get enough of these books! Tomer and Lettie are quite a pair! And the spicy is definitely spicy!

This is only the beginning......

Jackie always picks the narrators best fit for her characters and she did it again with Tomer and Lettie. Aaron and Kelsey pair well together. Jackie's characters (especially the FMC) are not always easy, they love to go on long tangents and Kelsey handled Lettie's ramblin's exquisitely. Aaron Shedlock is always good at his performances. This quickly became one of my favorites of his.

"If I'm but a particle swirling aimlessly in the darkness of space, then she's the sun."

I want to scream my love for this book from the dang rooftops. Five stars is clearly not enough. This hero and Lettie's story is so much more than I was expecting. After finishing Rival Hero and getting a glimpse at them in the present I needed the story of their beginning and Ms. Walker delivered ten fold on this one. Yes, it is only book one of a trilogy and yes it may not end as an HEA but it was totally worth the panic attacks I had while reading/listening...lol!